Car-coupling



(No Model.)

G. D. MOORE.

GAR COUPLING.

No. 409,855. Patented Aug. 27, 1889.

UNIT D rates PATENT Orrrcn.

COMMODORE D. MOORE, OF PURSIJEY, IVEST VIRGINIA.

. CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 409,855, dated August27, 1889.

Application filed March 25, 1889- Zo all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, COMMODORE D. MOORE, a citizen of the United States,residing at Pursley, in the county of Tyler and State of \Vest Virginia,have invented a new and useful Oar-Coupling, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to improvements in car-couplings; and it consistsin certain novel features hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an end elevation of acarhaving myimprovcd coupling applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a bottom plan viewof the same, the draw-head being shown in horizontal section. F. g. 3 isa side view partly in vertical section, and Fig. 4 is a section throughthe rock-shaft to show how the chains are Wound.

In carrying out my inventionIsecure to the under side of the car at theend of the same a draw-head A, having the coupling-jaws B mounted inrecesses in its sides just in rear of its mouth, and having their innerends adapted to engage the shoulders of the arrowhead link C, as clearlyshown. These couplingjaws are norm ally projected in ward by springs D,arranged in the recesses in the sides of the draw-head and acting on thesaid couplingjaws.

On the under side of the car and on opposite sides of the draw-head Imount the pulleys E, and chains F pass around these pulleys and havetheir rear ends passed diametrically through a rock-shaft G, journaledin suitable bearings on the under side of the car, and their front endssoon red to arms II, projecting from the coupling-jaws through thedrawhead. The rock-shaft G is provided at its ends with hand-wheels orcrank-arms H, by means of which it may be rotated to operate thecoupling-jaws. The rock-shaft may be operated from the top of the car bymeans of a rotary shaft I, mounted on the end of the car and having themiddle portion of a chain J secured to its lower end and then passedonce around said shaft in opposite directions. The ends of this chainare then passed around the rock-shaft in opposite directions and securedin a diametrical opening therein. A liftingbail K is secured to therock-shaft and extends forward therefrom and across the front Serial No.304,605. (No model.)

end of the draw-head. The central portion of the bail is depressed, asshown at L, so as to form. a rest for the coupling-link.

In practice, when it is desired to couple two cars together, thecoupling-link is secured in one draw-head and the draw-heads then madeto approach. The link will thus be made to enter the opposing draw-headand will auto matically be engaged by the coupling-jaws, thus effectingthe coupling. As the cars approach, the rock-shaft is turned, so as tocause the bail to engage under the link and lift it, so that it will beguided positively into the draw-head. hen it is desired to uncouple thecars, the rock-shaft is rotated from either side or from the top of thecar, so as to draw on the chains F and cause them to disengage thecoupling-jaws from the link, when the link can be easily drawn out fromthe drawhead. Upon releasing the rock shaft the springs, acting 011 thecoupling-jaws, will at once press them inward, so that they will assumetheir former position and be adapted to engage the coupling-link.

It will be observed from the foregoing description, taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, that I have provided a very simplecar-coupling which can be operated from the top or from either side ofthe car, and consequently. obviates the necessity of the operator goingbetween the cars and thereby endangering life and limb. Inasmuch as thechains F pass through diametrical openings in the rock-shaft, thecoupling-jaws will be positively operated, Whether the rockshaft beturned in one direction or the other. The lifting-bail is operated bythe rock-shaft so as to engage under the coupling-link and guide thesame into the draw-head, and facilitates the coupling together of carsof different heights. The central depression or rest in the baileffectually guides it into the mouth of the draw-head, so that thecoupling willbe operated with certainty.

The draw-head is provided with pin-holes in its top and bottom, so thatthe ordinary pinand-link coupling may be used when necessary.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is-

The combination of the draw-head, the coupling-jaws mounted therein, thepulleys arranged 011 the under side of the car and on 0pposite sides ofthe draw-head, the arms projecting from the coupling-jaws through thedraw-head, the rock-shaft journaled on the under side of the car, thechains passing around the pulleys and secured to the rockshaft, the armsprojecting from the coup- IO ling-jaws, the springs, the rotary shaftmounted on the end of the car, and the chain secured to the lower end ofsaid shaft and to the rook-shaft, as specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixedmy signature in 1;

presence of two Witnesses.

COMMODORE D. MOORE. Vitnesses: M. J. DEL,

J. H. MoCoY.

